The Disappearance Of Shannon Matthews

In February 2008, the local community in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire was rocked by the news of a missing girl.

9 yr old Shannon Matthews was reported missing by her mum Karen.

Shannon was born on the 9th of September 1998. She had six brother and sisters - Karen had 7 children by 5 different fathers, but only four of them lived with her and Shannon in a house along with Karen’s boyfriend, Craig.

They lived in a deprived area called The Dewsbury Moore Estate.

On the 19th of February Shannon had a swimming lesson, and was then due to walk home.

At 6:48pm, her mum Karen rang the police to say Shannon had not returned home from school.